Monster Mile 2026

A Halloween school fundraiser for Mental Health Ireland.

Monster Mile 2026

This October, schools and youth education settings are invited to host a Monster Mile: a fun, supervised walk, roll or movement activity that helps pupils move together, start positive conversations about feelings and wellbeing, and raise funds for Mental Health Ireland.

Register Interest

Contact Fundraising

Resources will be shared with interested schools in September, including a poster, parent/guardian note, iDonate setup guidance and classroom activity ideas.

What is Monster Mile?

Monster Mile is a simple Halloween fundraiser for schools and youth education settings.

Your school chooses a date in October and invites pupils to take part in a supervised walk, roll or movement activity. It can take place in a school yard, hall, pitch, school grounds or another familiar route that suits your setting.

Pupils can take part in Halloween dress-up where appropriate, and every school can adapt the activity to suit the needs, abilities and comfort of its pupils.

Monster Mile is not about completing an exact distance. It is about movement, inclusion, connection and supporting mental health.

At a glance

  • When: Any school day in October 2026
  • Where: School grounds, yard, hall, pitch or a safe local route
  • Who: Schools and youth education settings across Ireland
  • How: Walk, roll, move, stretch or take part in a way that suits pupils
  • Fundraising: iDonate page, QR code, small donation, sponsorship card or a mix of options

Who can take part?

Monster Mile is open to schools and youth education settings across Ireland. Each setting can shape the activity around its pupils, available space, timetable and safeguarding procedures.

Primary schools

A simple October activity for classes, year groups or the whole school.

Special schools

Adapt the route, format and movement options to suit pupils’ needs.

Youth settings

Suitable for youth education settings, training centres and similar groups.

School communities

Parents, teachers, SNAs and Boards of Management can help bring the idea to their school.

How it works

  1. Register your school’s interest

    Complete the short expression of interest form so we can send you the full digital pack in September.

  2. Pick a date in October

    Choose a school day that works for your calendar. Many schools may choose a date close to Halloween, but any date in October is fine.

  3. Plan your Monster Mile

    Choose a safe space or route. This could be your school yard, hall, pitch, school grounds or a familiar local route.

  4. Fundraise in a way that suits your school

    Schools can use an iDonate page and QR code, invite a small donation such as €2 per pupil, use sponsorship cards, or choose a mix of options.

  5. Take part and share your total

    After your Monster Mile, let us know how it went. We will thank participating schools and share certificates after the campaign.

Have questions? Contact us at fundraising@mentalhealthireland.ie.

Fundraising options

Schools can fundraise in whichever way is most manageable. Further guidance will be included in the September digital pack.

School iDonate page

We can guide schools to set up an iDonate page and QR code, which can be shared with parents and guardians through your usual school communication channels.

Suggested donation

Some schools may choose to invite pupils to bring a small donation, such as €2, on the day.

Sponsorship card

Sponsorship cards can be used where suitable, for family and friends only.

Any cash collected should be counted and lodged by the school as one donation. We will share practical guidance with interested schools in September.

Where the money goes

Your school’s support helps Mental Health Ireland provide free mental health information, education and resources for communities across Ireland.

Booklets icon
€20

could provide 20 people with free pocket-size mental health booklets.

Workshop icon
€80

could cover the cost of a free community workshop that gives someone practical tools to manage stress.

Nature icon
€150

could help someone take part in our Woodlands for Health Programme, connecting with nature to support their mental health.

Resources coming in September

Schools that register interest will receive a full digital pack in September. For now, all you need to do is register your interest and consider saving a date in October.

Monster Mile poster

Parent/guardian note

iDonate setup guidance

Fundraising tips

Classroom activity ideas

Safety, inclusion and consent guidance

Certificate information

Support from the Fundraising Team

Register Interest
Ask a Question

Safety, inclusion and consent

Each school remains responsible for planning and supervising its own Monster Mile. Further guidance will be included in the September digital pack.

Safety

Schools should follow their own safeguarding procedures, supervision ratios, risk assessment processes, first-aid arrangements and event management procedures.

Inclusion

The activity should be adapted so pupils can take part in a way that works for them. Walking, rolling, seated movement, low-impact activity and shorter routes can all count.

Consent

Schools should use their existing photo-consent records and media policies. Avoid sharing pupil surnames or personal information in public posts.

Frequently asked questions

Some common questions about Monster Mile are answered below. If you cannot find what you need, contact us at fundraising@mentalhealthireland.ie.

Does our school have to complete exactly one mile?

No. Schools can adapt the distance, time or movement activity to suit their pupils, setting and available space.

Does it have to take place on Halloween?

No. Schools can choose any date in October.

Can pupils take part without dressing up?

Yes. Halloween dress-up is optional. Schools can decide what is appropriate for their pupils.

Do we need to set up an iDonate page now?

No. At this stage, we are only gathering expressions of interest. We will share iDonate setup guidance with interested schools in September.

Can special schools and additional needs settings take part?

Yes. Monster Mile is designed to be adaptable and inclusive. Schools can choose the format that works best for their pupils.

Who should we contact with questions?

Please contact the Fundraising Team at fundraising@mentalhealthireland.ie.

Ready to take part?

Register your school’s interest in Monster Mile 2026 and help support Mental Health Ireland this October. We will send the full digital pack to interested schools in September.

Register Interest
Email Fundraising